“An interview about my music?” Adrian looked at Maileah and Sailor in disbelief. “I’ll have to call you back.” He took the number, but as soon as he hung up, the phone rang again. This time, it was a record label executive. He took another message.
Maileah bounced on her toes with excitement. “You’re going to benefit so much from this exposure. This could be huge for you.”
“I’m glad Skeeter’s coming back. She can help me with all this.” Adrian sat on a nearby stool, looking overwhelmed but thrilled. “All these years of playing in diners and bars, and now this happens.”
Sailor grinned at Maileah. “Thanks to Maileah’s idea.”
Maileah shook her head but couldn’t contain her smile. “I just gave it a little push. Adrian is the real star.”
He stood up, pulling both Maileah and Sailor into a bearhug. “I don’t know how to thank you. This was beyond my wildest dreams at this stage in my life.”
Maileah hugged him back. This was why she loved what she did; it allowed her to make a difference and help people’s dreams come true.
First Junie, and now Adrian and the charity. That was the best part of it all.
As they broke apart, all laughing and talking about what to do next, a couple of locals walked into the store, asking about the commotion. While Adrian told them what had happened, Sailor took Maileah’s hand and pressed the other to his heart.
With a sincere look of gratitude, Sailor said, “I don’t know how to thank you for this. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen my father this happy.”
“He’s so talented.” Maileah touched his cheek. “It was only a matter of time.”
Sailor took her hand and kissed her fingers. “Timing is everything, I’ve found. Whether you’re waiting for the perfect wave—or the perfect woman.”
Heat gathered around Maileah’s neck. The emotion in Sailor’s eyes matched what she felt, though neither could voice that yet.
Instead, she said, “I’m far from perfect.”
“No one is, but we’re perfectly imperfect together.” Tucking his arm through hers, he added, “We should go. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Maileah shook her head. “You don’t have to help. I’ve got this.”
“And miss out on all the fun? No way. Think of me as a volunteer. I heard you were looking for some.”
“Who told you that?” Maileah asked. It was true, but she hadn’t mentioned that.
“Your grandmother,” he replied, his eyes dancing.
Maileah laughed. “You seem to have Ella on your side. I’ll warn you, though—I can be a tough boss. I’m driven to win.”
He kissed her cheek and took her hand. “Then we’re two of a kind.”
Maileah inclined her head. She hadn’t thought of it that way, but he had a point. When she didn’t do her best, she could be grumpy. She knew that about herself now, but she was trying to change that.
It was much easier to shift her perspective here on Crown Island, where the sun was warm, the water cool, and the man beside her extremely hot. She smiled to herself. “Let’s get to work. We haven’t much time before the event.”
“Enough time for a shower?” Grinning, Sailor had a hand through his damp hair, making it stick up at weird angles.
She laughed. “I need one, too.”
After returning to her cottage and showering, Maileah felt renewed and exhilarated. This day had already exceeded her expectations, and she was only getting started. Sharing this win with Sailor and his family made it all the sweeter.
Just then, she thought of Junie and her mother. She could hardly wait to share the good news with them. She called Junie at the gift shop, but the call went straight to voice mail, so she left a message.
Her next call was to her mother, who picked up right away. “I just heard the news and was going to call you.”
“How did—” Maileah stopped. This was a small town, and the couple at Regal Bikes that Adrian spoke to probably shared the news. “We’re all pretty excited over it.”
“You’re not alone,” April said. “Ryan is visiting me at the Historical Society. Do you have a moment to speak to him?”
